Rams, Pioneers look to each other for a challenge

Nov. 20, 2012

CSU's Pierce Hornung, shown here against Chadron State, will be counted on to defend University of Denver's Chris Udofia, a 6-foot-6 junior forward who is leading his team in scoring (17.7), assists (4.0) and rebounds (7.7) per game. / Rich Abrahamson/The Coloradoan

Even though Colorado State University men’s basketball team has beaten the Pioneers away from Moby Arena three of its last four attempts, Denver is a team that thrives on home-court advantage. A season ago, Southern Miss — two days before handing CSU its only home loss of the year — walked away from Magness on the short end of a 59-52. loss

CSU coach Larry Eustachy coached that Southern Miss team and knows if the Rams don’t play a solid game tonight they’ll suffer the same fate.

“I think it will be an upset if we go down there and beat them. It’ll be an upset because they’ll probably be favored,” Eustachy said. “They only lost two games at home last year. I took an NCAA Tournament team in there and couldn’t win. They play in a way that’s hard to beat.”

Denver makes the most of its Princeton offense and gives teams fits by running a matchup zone defense — a style Eustachy said isn’t common today. The Rams (2-0) have been practicing to combat it this week, but they know it will be a tough task, especially when it comes to shutting down Chris Udofia.

The Pioneer’s 6-foot-6 junior forward is a high-energy jack-of-all-trades, leading the team in scoring (17.7), assists (4.0) and rebounds (7.7) per game. He posted his first double-double of the season in last week’s loss to California. He has CSU senior Pierce Hornung’s attention during film sessions.

“Denver is always tough and they’re very hard to prepare for. We’re taking them very seriously,” Hornung said. “I’m sure I’ll guard (Udofia) a little. Colton (Iverson), Greg (Smith) and I will all spend time on him. We played him last year and he’s tough. He’s very active, so it’s going to be a good test for us, defensively, both individually and as a team.”

CSU could certainly use a quality test after rolling Division II Chadron State a week ago by 43 points. Denver is the perfect team to provide it, but the Pioneers (1-2) are looking forward for the Rams to bring the same challenge.

Four of Denver’s first five opponents this season made postseason berths a year ago, including three that were selected to the NCAA Tournament. Now playing as a basketball member of the Western Athletic Conference, Pioneers coach Joe Scott knows in order to be the best Denver must first beat the better teams, and his scheduling is indicative of the philosophy.

“If you want to be good, you have to play good teams. If you want to be good, you have to be successful on the road. We opened up at Iona, a 25-win and NCAA team from last year,” Scott said. “Obviously, I’m hopeful that games like this against CSU and good teams are the things that make your team grow up quicker so that when you get to league play you know who you are, know your persona and go out there and do it every game.”